Karen Akers salutes the work of the late Broadway composer Jule Styne on her sixth recording for DRG Records, which is entitled "Simply Styne."

Conceived and directed by Eric Michael Gillett, "Simply Styne" features musical direction by Don Rebic. Akers is accompanied by Rebic on piano and Dick Sarpola on bass; a release date has yet to be announced. The complete track listing for "Simply Styne" follows: "Funny Girl" "Just in Time" "Time After Time" "It's Been a Long Long Time" "I Fall in Love Too Easily" The Gypsy Suite "Long Before I Knew You" The Lies Medley "If You Hadn't, But You Did" "10,432 Sheep"

Born Julius Kerwin Styne Dec. 31, 1905, in London, England, Jule Styne's Broadway composing credits include High Button Shoes, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Funny Girl, Bells Are Ringing, Peter Pan and Gypsy. Among his catalogue of tunes are such ditties as "Time After Time," "All I Need Is the Girl," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," "It's Magic," "People," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!," "Never Never Land," "Small World," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Just in Time." Styne died in New York, NY, Sept. 20, 1994.

Karen Akers received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut as Luisa Contini in the original Tommy Tune-directed production of Nine and returned to Broadway in another Tune musical, Grand Hotel. Her feature film credits include "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Heartburn" and "Vibes," and she was seen in an episode of the hit TV series "Cheers." It's been the concert/cabaret stage where Akers has been most praised. Her solo recordings — including "Like It Was," "Presenting Karen Akers," "In a Very Unusual Way" and "If We Only Have Love" — are available on CD.